Marikana six years later: Has there been justice?

Questions still remain over whether justice has been served following the tragic killing of 44 people in an unprotected strike at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana in the North West.

Six years after the tragic bloodbath and the police officers accused of killing and torturing the mineworkers are yet to go on trial.

There are also still no answers as to who was behind the deaths of the 10 people, including police officers, security guards and non-striking workers, a week before the tragedy.

The recent Constitutional Court ruling that the appointment of the National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams was invalid could have a profound impact on the 17 Marikana miners who lodged a review application over his decision to charge them for the killing of the 10 people the week before the mass shootings on the koppie at the mine.

“They need something to accuse the workers of, so that the responsible culprits can get away with it,” Seoka insists.

The case against the 17 miners has been postponed until February 2019.

Meanwhile, the case against nine police officers, including former North West deputy police chief William Mpembe, who face charges including murder, attempted murder and obstructing justice, has been postponed for a pre-trial hearing on 14 September.

The Farlam Commission has recommended that possible criminal cases against both the police and the miners be investigated by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and police watchdog Ipid.

The NPA has been dogged by claims of political interference and major delays holding up the criminal justice system.